On this page

1. Existence of a National Strategy

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority

4. Revisions/ Updates

Existence of a National Strategy

Currently, Spain does not have a dedicated national strategy specifically focused youth volunteering. 

Instead, youth volunteering is addressed through the State Law on Volunteering (Ley de Voluntariado, 45/2015), which establishes the legal framework for volunteering activities in Spain. The law regulates volunteering activities for all ages, including youth, and applies to both national and international volunteering efforts. 

In addition there is the Youth Strategy 2030 (Estrategia Juventud 2030), which, while not exclusively focused on volunteering, includes volunteering as part of the broader youth engagement and participation policies. The Youth Strategy 2030 serves as a national youth policy framework that influences how youth volunteering is approached in Spain.

In addition to the State Law on Volunteering, Law 43/2015 of the Third Sector of Social Action (Ley 43/2015, del Tercer Sector de Acción Social) establishes the role of NGOs in Spain’s social policies. It outlines support and promotion measures for the Third Sector and sets the framework for policymaking in social action.

It is also important to note that Spain's decentralised structure allows Autonomous Communities to develop their own laws and strategies, including those for youth volunteering.

Scope and contents

State Law on Volunteering

• Main purpose: The law aims to regulate and promote volunteering in Spain, establishing a statutory framework for the participation of individuals in voluntary activities. It applies to youth volunteering indirectly by ensuring that youth under 18 must obtain parental or guardian consent to participate in volunteering activities.

• Key political objectives: The law focuses on ensuring accessibility, inclusivity, and recognition of volunteering, and it provides guidelines for the organisation of volunteering activities in various fields, such as social, environmental, cultural, and educational volunteering.

• Target groups: While the law does not specifically target youth volunteering, it ensures that young people can participate in any volunteer activity as long as they meet the legal requirements (such as parental consent for those under 18).

• Youth-related focus: Youth volunteers are given specific rights under this law, including access to training, recognition through certificates (e.g., Youthpass), and inclusion in volunteering opportunities.

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Youth Strategy 2030

• Key political objectives: The strategy focuses on youth participation and solidarity, positioning volunteering as a key tool for achieving the broader goal of active citizenship. Axis 6 of this strategy specifically addresses "Youth and global transformation, participation and volunteering" and objective 6.2 is dedicated to "promote volunteering and the values of solidarity associated with its practice".
• Target groups: The strategy aims to foster volunteering opportunities for all youth, particularly for those with fewer opportunities. It includes specific measures to enhance participation through volunteering, with a focus on cross-border mobility and international volunteering.
• Inclusive volunteering: There is a clear focus on increasing the inclusivity of youth volunteering, ensuring that young people from diverse backgrounds, including those with fewer opportunities, have access to volunteering experiences. Specific actions under the Youth Strategy 2030 include funding for international volunteer camps and support for cultural exchange programmes for Ibero-American youth.
• Action Plan 2022–2024: Allocated €25,668,685 for international volunteering initiatives, including:​
  • European Solidarity Corps (ESC) activities: €21,863,941​
  • Solidarity projects within ESC: €3,147,760​
  • Promotion of international volunteer camps and Ibero-American youth mobility: €18,000

In addition to the objectives mentioned, the Strategy places emphasis on recognizing and accrediting the competencies gained through volunteering. This includes formal recognition of non-formal learning through initiatives like the Youthpass certificate for ESC volunteers, which enhances youth employability and promotes social inclusion. Moreover, the Strategy encourages youth volunteering as a means to contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), empowering youth to play an active role in addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Furthermore, the Strategy supports the creation of digital platforms for volunteering, ensuring greater accessibility and participation, especially for youth in remote areas. These efforts aim to expand volunteer opportunities, especially in the context of cross-border mobility and international volunteering.

Responsible authority

• The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and 2030 Agenda is responsible for volunteering policy at the national level, including the implementation of the Law on Volunteering and elements of the Youth Strategy 2030.
• In the case of youth volunteering, INJUVE (Instituto de la Juventud) plays a key role in coordinating youth-related volunteering activities and implementing projects in alignment with the broader Youth Strategy 2030.
• Autonomous Communities are responsible for implementing their own youth volunteering strategies and for developing specific regional policies and programmes related to volunteering, in line with the national framework

Revisions/ Updates

While there have been no major legislative changes regarding youth volunteering in recent years, the Youth Strategy 2030 has evolved to place greater emphasis on volunteering as a means of fostering youth participation and solidarity. The transition from the previous strategy - Youth Strategy 2020 (Estrategia Juventud 2020) - to the current one signifies a strategic shift towards more inclusive and globally oriented youth engagement through volunteering.